Top 10 tips for making sure your home is protected from bush fire

It’s that time of year when bush fires are at the forefront of every Australian’s mind â€“ especially if you live in a region that is known to be at risk. We all know that bush fires are serious and can have catastrophic effects on our neighbourhood and property; and with The Age recently reporting â€œhighâ€ and â€œvery highâ€ danger warnings for the Victorian region â€“ knowing what to do to protect your home and having a survival plan in place is essential. Here we give you our top 10 tips to reduce your homeâ€™s risk during the bush fire season:

1. Mow the lawn: Keep it short â€“ ideally no more than 10cm long.

2. Clean up the outside: Clear dry leaves, etc.; de-clutter and move everything inside or at least 20m away from your house. You donâ€™t want to add any fuel to a fire.

3. Check roof and gutters: Clear debris, check for any gaps in your roof and wall cladding and seal them up.

4. Cut back vegetation: Any vegetation (shrubs, trees) within a 10m radius of your home should be cut back.

5. No large/tall shrubs around windows: Any embers or stray flames will latch on to these and they will guide the fire straight into your home.

7. Keep your pool topped up: Pool water is a great source of water for both you and the Fire Services, and can also act as a barrier – so donâ€™t empty it.

8. Get a LONG hose: You may already have one, but to be of any real value, it will need to be able to extend around the circumference of your property. If one hose isnâ€™t long enough â€“ buy two.

9. Keep embers out: Embers are loosely floating fragments that can catch alight quickly. Install metal fly wire mesh on all windows and vents; and get an ember protection screen on air conditioners.

10. Consider installing home security: CCTV and a good alarm system can alert you early on â€“ and if you have to evacuate, having a remote access to your CCTV can help you keep tabs on your home in your absence.

For further information and a complete checklist, check the DFES website.

When it comes to installing CCTV or any element of home security â€“ you can rely on Eversafe.